(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency) style="font-family:Calibri">
Regarding The Allegation That Coalition Forces Targeted A 'Residential Complex of IDPs' In (Al Saleh) City, (Hodeida) Governorate: The 'Annual Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights' regarding Yemen, presented to the Human Rights Council on August 17th, 2018 stated that the Coalition Air Force carried out an airstrike on (April 3rd, 2018) against a 'Residential Complex of IDPs' in (Al Saleh) City, (Hodeida) Governorate, which resulted in: 'At least 12 civilians killed. Approximately 15 civilians injured.'
The Joint Incidents Assessment Team has vetted the possibility of the incident, and following verification of all related documents; including the procedures and Rules of Engagement, Daily Mission Schedule, After Mission Report, video recordings of the mission, satellite imagery and evidence evaluation, JIAT finds that the Coalition Forces DID NOT target a 'Residential Complex of IDPs' in (Al Saleh) City, (Hodeida) Governorate. The closest mission carried out by the Coalition Air Force on the date of the allegation (April 3rd, 2018) was against a military target (3500) meters away from the location of the allegation, which consists of a warehouse used by the armed Houthi militia as a (weapons storage and RC exploding boats preparation zone) in (Hodeida) City. Thus, the location lost its legal protection of civilian objects due to 'effective contribution to military action' as stated in Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, Article 52, paragraph 3. Becoming a '[military objective] whose total or partial destruction, capture or neutralization, in the circumstances ruling at the time, offers a definite military advantage.' As stated in paragraph 2 of the same Article. Meeting Customary Rule 16 of feasible verification, the Coalition Air Force carried out a mission at (11:00) pm, on Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018, against a (weapons storage and RC exploding boats preparation zone), South of (Hodeida) City, using precision-guided munition. The Coalition Air Force took 'all feasible precautions in the choice of means and methods of attack with a view of avoiding, and in any event, to minimizing, incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects.', evidenced by the use of proportionate precision-guided munition to the target in accordance with the aforementioned Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, Article 57 and Customary Rules 15 and 17.
JIAT has studied and analyzed post satellite imagery of the location of the allegation on (June 24th, 2018) where the location was intact, and no signs of airstrike damage were found.
Following video analysis of the mission, JIAT finds that:
The bomb was dropped on the target (warehouse), where it made a precise, direct hit;
The area of the target was free of movements (vehicular and civilian) prior and during the operation.
As a result, JIAT finds that the Coalition Forces DID NOT target the (Residential Complex of IDPs) mentioned in the allegation. JIAT also confirms the validity of the Coalition Air Force procedures in targeting a (weapons storage and RC Exploding Boats preparation zone), and that they were carried out in accordance with the Customary International Humanitarian Law.
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21:20 LOCAL TIME 18:20 GMT
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